Jakarta, Indonesia - A contractor without a contract is just a worker and may sometimes put your project in jeopardy. Even the most honest person can never put into document every detail that happened during the discussion of the project. That is where the help of a contractor comes in. Axis Capital Group in Jakarta, a construction company based in Singapore has a list of contractors which have years of experience and wisdom in the field.

The Contractor

A contractor may mean a group or individual depending on the need and use. General contractor is an organization or individual that contracts with another organization or individual for the construction of a building, road or facility.

The Contract

To avoid being scammed, we need to look into the contract itself.

A contract protects the parties involved. Just because you had a great conversation during the first meeting at the house, and even though the work is only supposed to take two days, you'll regret not having a contract when one of you forgets half of that great conversation and the work isn't completed after two weeks.

The License

Contractors also hold certification for them to do their job. It is better to work with a well-certified contractor to make sure that your job will not be put in danger. While in some cities getting a contractor's license may be more a matter of writing a check than verifying skill, check to see that your contractor lists a license required for the work being done. A license may mean that your contractor passed the required exams, or it may just mean the state knows where to find him to collect taxes. But it also means your contractor has done the paperwork and is playing by the rules not some fraud person who just wants to leave you dry.

A Physical Address

Legitimacy is also shown if the contractor is able to provide a valid address. Should you need to track down your contractor after work has begun, you won't find him or her at a P.O. Box. Ask to drop off the deposit at the physical location listed on the contract.

Insurance

Injuries are inevitable in a construction site. Check with your locality if for the proper amount of liability insurance or if your contractor is an employee, you may ask his company whether he carries compensation insurance. If the location is your home and your contractor does not have the proper insurance, you may be held liable.

The Details

There are many details to get right in a renovation, so write everything down before work begins and constantly review. This can be the best way to get everyone on the same page. If your designer has drawn up detailed plans, make sure the contract references the designer and the date on the plans so you have something to point to should the finish on your woodwork be different from what you requested. The scope and duration of work is important to put into details as well.

Exclusions

A good contract should include a list of exclusions to be transparent to his client. These might be related to areas that will not be visible until the walls are opened up after demolition, or the level of cleaning you should expect after the work is complete. Also, talk to your contractor about the likelihood of finding asbestos behind the walls. He won't be able to say for sure, but he can speak from experience and help you plan your contingency budget.